ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Cabinet apprised about MoU on Antarctic cooperation between India and Argentine
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised about an MoU signed in February, 2019 between India and Argentine on Antarctic cooperation.
The MoU will help scientific cooperation on projects in the fields of Earth
sciences, as well as those related to the protection and conservation of the natural environment of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans.
Salient Features:
- Scientific co-operation on projects in the fields of -inter alia- Earth sciences and life sciences, as well as those related to the protection and conservation of the natural environment of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans;
- The exchange of scientific and bibliographical information related to the study of Antarctica, its environment and dependent and associated ecosystems;
- Exploring opportunities for exchanges of scientists;
- Participation of scientists and technical experts of the national Antarctic programme of one country in the national Antarctic programme of the other, if so required;
- Joint scientific conferences and workshops; hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of major polar forum meetings, where feasible.
- Joint scientific publications;
- Training of scientific personnel;
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
PANEL DISCUSSION ON FUTURE OF CINEMA DISTRIBUTION IN INDIA AND WORLDWIDE HELD AT SCO FILM FESTIVAL
VARIOUS CHALLENGES TO DISTRIBUTION OF GLOBAL CINEMA HIGHLIGHTED IN SESSION
Mumbai | 29 January 2023
A Panel Discussion was held on 'Future of Cinema Distribution in India And Worldwide' on Day 3 of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Film Festival in Mumbai. The session saw lively discussion on various aspects of film distribution, including the impact of OTT platforms and the change in viewing habits brought by the pandemic.Ning Ying, SCO Film Festival Jury Member from China, Naveen Chandra Founder & CEO of 91 Film Studios, Sunir kheterpal, Film Producer and Shibashish Sarkar, President of Producers Guild of India were panelists.
Shibashish Sarkar discussed about how consumer expenditure has been impacted by inflation and recession globally. He describes how this has led to fewer people going to movie theatres after the pandemic. Naveen Chandra adds that a new wave of digitization has created “individual critic” within every household. Reviews are posted within seconds and this creates its own set of challenges for the movie. He also narrated how regionalisation of global cinema has impacted audience tastes and cites the example of how a Korean movie became best movie in the 2022 oscars.
Sunir Kheterpal chimed in by stating that there are no big or small movies, but only good and bad cinema. He adds that the essence of cinema is to make a good film. Ning Ying spoke of a new challenge posed by big stars to global cinema. "Big stars create a predictable gambling for the producers. However they suffer when a film suffers badly at the box office", She says. Similarly, she states that post pandemic China has been looking inwards when it comes to audiences since the huge population of China creates a strong market for domestic cinema.
The session ended with Shibashish Sarkar mentioning how Hindi cinema must ensure its reach in dubbed market by appealing to larger audiences with relevant stories. He was also optimistic of OTT platforms and recognized its contribution to encrichment of quality content.
Ministry of Tourism
Tourism Minister inaugurates the Jodhpur Institute of Hospitality Management
The Minister of State  for Tourism Shri. K.J. Alphons inaugurated the Institute of Hospitality Management in Jodhpur today.
In his inaugural speech,the Minister highlighted that India is among the fastest growing Tourism economy in the world and in 2017, the Indian tourism receipts went up by 20.8% against a global growth rate of 7%. Shri. K. J. Alphons hoped that in three years we will be able to double the revenue from foreign tourists.
Ministry of Power
Electrification in Rural Areas
All the inhabited census villages stand electrified as on 28.04.2018.Further, all the States reported electrification of all households, as on 31.03.2019, except few households in LWE affected Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
Electricity is a concurrent subject and as such providing electricity connection to households falls under the purview of State Governments / Power Utility. All the States/UTs have entered into Memorandum of Understanding  with the Government of India for providing 24 x 7 power supply to all households, industrial and commercial consumers from April, 2019 and adequate supply of power to agricultural consumers as per State policy. Government of India supplement the efforts of the States through its various schemes including Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana , Integrated Power Development Scheme , Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana- Saubhagya and Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana .
Substantial progress has been made under DDUGJY & Saubhagya schemes towards creation of electricity infrastructure and providing electricity connections to households. Under these schemes, funds are released for sanctioned projects in instalments based on the reported utilisation of amount in the previous instalment and fulfilment of stipulated conditionality’s. So far Rs. 45,174.89 crore have been released under various projects of DDUGJY and States have reported 69% overall progress.
As reported by the States, all the inhabited un-electrified census villages stand electrified on 28.04.2018 across the country.
Further, to achieve universal household electrification by providing last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all households in rural and all poor households in urban areas across the country Government of India launched Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – “Saubhagya” in October, 2017. All the States reported electrification of all households on Saubhagya portal, as on 31.03.2019, except few households in the LWE affected Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Since launch of the scheme, 2.628 crore households were electrified up to 31.03.2019 across the country.
This information was provided by Minister of State  Power, New & Renewable Energy and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri R.K. Singh, in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
“Know Your Forces” : An Event Organised by Air Force Station Sarsawa
Air Force Station Sarsawa organised a mega display of military assets for the school students of Saharanpur area on 14 February 2020. The students also witnessed various tactics of the helicopter flying by Air Force pilots.
The event was inaugurated by the Divisional Commissioner, Sh. Sanjay Kumar IAS and Air Commodore Ajay Shukla VM, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Sarsawa.
The aim of the programme was to reach out to the youths of Saharanpur area and familiarize them with the Indian Armed Forces in general and Indian Air Force in particular. More than 3000 school children of various age group participated in the event. They were briefed about the role of IAF and various career opportunities available in the IAF. They were also apprised about the importance of maintaining the cleanliness in the area to avoid birds’ menace, for safe flying. The event generated remarkable interaction and excitement among the students to learn about the military aircraft, equipment and the life in IAF
Special Service and Features
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav ; Bike rally flagged of
As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Southern Railway State Bharat Scouts & Guides is conducting a Bike Rally from 08th August, 2022 to 15th August, 2022 covering all the divisions of Southern Railway. Shri R Mukund, Divisional Railway Manager, Thiruvananthapuram Division, Southern Railway flagged off the Bike Rally today from Railway Divisional Office, Thiruvananthapuram. Highlighting the spirit of Independence and the spirit of Scouting & Guiding, about 75 Bikers will ride about 2065 Kms throughout the Southern part of the Country and will also cover up State capitals of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka . The week-long Bike Rally will cover all Divisional Headquarters of the Southern Railway Zone.
Shri P T Benny, Additional Divisional Railway Manager and other branch officers attended the flagging off function.
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Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Sale of Medicines Online
Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya, while giving a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today on separateguidelines for the sale of medicines online, said that the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 has provisions to sell, stock, exhibit or offer for sale or distribution of drugs.
Shri Mandaviya said that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published draft rules to amend Drugs and Cosmetics Rules regarding regulation of distribution or sale, stock, exhibit or offer for sale of drugs through e-pharmacy.
As per these draft rules, the e-pharmacy shall mention the various details on its e-pharmacy portal, including name of the registered pharmacist, with the Registration No. and name of Pharmacy Council where the pharmacist has been registered, who validates the prescription prior to forward it to dispense the drugs,the Minister added.
Ministry of Power
Rules to protect Consumer Rights in the Power Sector
Part VI of the Electricity Act, 2003 provides for Consumer protection: Standards of performance. Section 57 of the Electricity Act, 2003 states:
- The Appropriate Commission may, after consultation with the licensees and persons likely to be affected, specify standards of performance of a licensee or a class of licensees.
- If a licensee fails to meet the standards specified under subsection , without prejudice to any penalty which may be imposed or prosecution be initiated, he shall be liable to pay such compensation to the person affected as may be determined by the Appropriate Commission: Provided that before determination of compensation, the concerned licensee shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
- The compensation determined under sub-section  shall be paid by the concerned licensee within ninety days of such determination.”
In order to make its implementation more effective, Ministry of Power notified Electricity  Rules, 2020 on 31.12.2020 under Electricity Act, 2003. These rules emanate from the conviction that the power systems exist to subserve the interests of consumers and protect their rights to get the reliable services and quality electricity.
Implementation of these Rules shall ensure that new electricity connections, refunds and other services are given in a time bound manner. Willful disregard to consumer rights would result in levying penalties on service providers. The rules have become operational w.e.f. date of notification i.e. 31.12.2020.
This information was given by Shri R. K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Cabinet approves proposal for allotment of land measuring 30 acres to Pasteur Institute of India for establishment of New Viral Vaccine Manufacturing Unit at Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Proposal for allotment of land measuring30 acres to Pasteur Institute of India  for establishmentof New Viral Vaccine Manufacturing Unit at Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
The project entails production of Viral Vaccines  and Anti Sera  at the PII, Coonoor. Land for the project will be transferred free of cost.
Land used for the project will also be got changed by the Ministry of Health & FW from ‘Industrial’ to ‘Institutional’.
Benefits:
The allotment of land will encourage the production of life-saving vaccines for children, to strengthen the vaccine security of the country, and would reduce the cost, besides providing import substitution as presently these are being imported.
AKT
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Ministry of Defence
Inauguration of Vikrant Memorial at Regal Circle, Mumbai
Mumbai, 10 June, 2022
A model of the Indian Navy’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, was dedicated to the city of Mumbai by Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra today in the presence of Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and other distinguished guests.
The 10 mtr long model of the erstwhile Vikrant has been made in-house by Naval Dockyard, Mumbai and has been located at Regal Circle, Colaba in association with the Residents Association ‘ My Dream Colaba’ and ‘ CALM', supported by Adv Makarand Narvekar. The dedication of the model is an affirmation of the strong maritime connect of Mumbai and equally rich maritime heritage of the State of Maharashtra. The model stands proud at the famous Regal Circle, Colaba shoulder to shoulder with the iconic Gateway of India and Naval Dockyard, signifying the ship’s strong bond with the city of Mumbai where she was based during her entire commissioned service.
An aircraft carrier of the Majestic Class, INS Vikrant was launched in September 1945 and formally inducted into the Indian Navy on 03 November 1961 at Mumbai. The ship participated in numerous campaigns and exercise, notable among them being the operations for Liberation of Goa in December 1961 and the Indo-Pak War in 1971. Post serving the nation for 36 years, the ship was decommissioned in January 1997 and remained as a floating museum ship at Mumbai till 2012.
“Old ships never die, they fade away to be resurrected in another avatar”. In keeping with this age old saying, ‘Vikrant’ is set to be reborn as the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, designed by the Indian Navy and being built by M/s Cochin Ship Yard Ltd. The ship is presently undergoing sea trials and will soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Vikrant.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Government has set a target to raise the share of natural gas in energy mix to 15% in 2030
The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today informed that the Government has set a target to raise the share of natural gas in energy mix to 15% in 2030 from about 6.7% now. To achieve the target, following initiatives have been taken: -
i). Expansion of National Gas Grid to about 35,000 Km from current 20,000 Km.
ii). Expansion of CGD network -11th CGD round launched on 17.09.2021. After completion of 11th city gas distribution  round, 96% of India’s population and 86% of its geographic area would be covered under CGD network.
iii). Setting up of LNG Terminals.
iv). Allocation of domestic gas to CNG  / PNG  in no cut category.
v). Allowing marketing and pricing freedom to gas produced from high pressure/high temperature areas, deep water & ultra-deep water and from coal seams.
vi). SATAT initiatives to promote Bio-CNG.
Considering the demand of natural gas across sectors and the possibility of price of LNG coming down in future, current high prices do not threaten India’s goal to boost the use of gas in its energy mix.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister to launch ‘Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan ‘on Friday 26th June
COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on workforce in general and migrant workers in particular. A large number of migrant workers returned to several states. The challenge of containing Covid-19 was compounded by the need to provide basic amenities and means of livelihood to migrants and rural workers. Government of India announced the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package to stimulate various sectors. In order to generate employment with thrust towards creating infrastructure in backward regions of the country Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan was launched on 20th June 2020.
In Uttar Pradesh, nearly 30 lakh migrant workers returned. 31 districts of Uttar Pradesh have more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers. These include 5 aspirational districts. The Government of Uttar Pradesh envisaged a unique initiative “Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan” which dovetails programs of Government of India and the State government while creating partnerships with Industry and other organizations. This Abhiyan is intensely focused towards providing employment, promote local entrepreneurship and create partnership with Industrial associations and other organizations to provide employment opportunities.
Prime Minister will launch this Abhiyan on 26 th June, 2020 at 11 am through Video-Conference in presence of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Further, Ministers of concerned Ministries of Uttar Pradesh will also participate in the virtual launch. Prime Minister will interact with villagers from six districts of Uttar Pradesh. Villages across all districts of Uttar Pradesh will join this program through the Common Service Centers and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, maintaining the norms of social distancing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ministry of Communications
C-DOT and CSIR-National Physical laboratory sign agreement for ‘Development of NavIC based IST traceable Primary Reference Time Clock for Telecom Sector
Centre for Development of Telematics , the premier Telecom R&D Centre of the Department of Telecommunications  and CSIR-National Physical laboratory  signed an agreement for ‘Development of NavIC based IST traceable Primary Reference Time Clock  for Telecom Sector’.
The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund  scheme of the DoT for providing funding support to domestic companies and institutions involved in technology design, development, commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions to enable affordable broadband and mobile services in rural and remote areas.
The project focuses on the development of a device which shall provide direct Indian Standard Time  traceability to all the Telecom Service Providers  and Internet Service Providers  within ± 20 ns. This shall benefit India in multiple ways starting from reducing the dependency on GPS, shifting to IRNSS/NavIC, digital forensic analysis of transactions, cyber secure networks, reduce call drops & further synchronise all the telecom services with one reference time source IST, developed by CSIR-NPL.
Time synchronization of the telecom networks will be foundation for a strong cyber secured nation, as every bank transaction, stock market transactions and exchange of information is through the TSPs and ISPs. Development of NavIC based IST traceable Primary Reference Time Clock  is an initiative which aims towards achieving the objective of “One nation One time”.
Speaking at the Agreement signing ceremony, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT underscored the tremendous potential of Indian R&D in developing futuristic innovative solutions for the benefit of our nation’s prosperity and improving the quality of life. He emphasized the need to collaborate in other areas of joint interest for realizing the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
The event was attended by Dr. Ashish Agarwal & Dr. K. K. Maurya, Senior Principal Scientists along with other senior scientists of NPL. Dr. Pankaj Kumar Dalela, Ms. Shikha Srivastava- Directors of C-DOT were also present during the agreement signing ceremony.
Both C-DOT and CSIR-NPL expressed their enthusiasm and reiterated their firm commitments towards taking this engagement further with a resounding success.
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds the Steel Authority of India
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has praised Steel Authority of India Limited on achieving the highest monthly production of Hot Metal, Crude Steel, and Saleable Steel in history in January 2023.
Responding to a tweet by Ministry of Steel, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Encouraging news from a sector vital to India being Aatmanirbhar.”
Ministry of Finance
Extension of date for filing of Income Tax Returns and Audit Reports from 30th September, 2018 to 15th October, 2018
The due date for filing of Income Tax Returns and Audit Reports for Assessment Year 2018-19 is 30th September, 2018 for certain categories of taxpayers. Upon consideration of representations from various stakeholders, the Central Board of Direct Taxes extends the ‘due date’ for filing of Income Tax Returns as well as reports of Audit  from 30th September, 2018 to 15th October, 2018 in respect of the said categories of taxpayers. However, there shall be no extension of the due date for the purpose of section 234A  of the I.T. Act, 1961 pertaining to Interest for defaults in furnishing return, and the assessee shall remain liable for payment of interest as per provisions of section 234A of the Act.
UPSC
Section Officers’/Stenographers’  Limited Departmental Competitive Examintion, 2015
On the basis of the results of the written part of the Section Officers’/Stenographers’  Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2015 held by the Union Public Service Commission in October, 2015 for addition to the Select Lists for the Section Officer’s and the Stenographer’s Grade ‘B’/Grade ‘I’ of the services, the candidates with the under mentioned Roll Numbers have qualified in the written part/shorthand test for evaluation of service records.
The candidature of all these candidates is purely “PROVISIONAL” subject to review at the stage of evaluation of service records. If at any stage of the examination process, a candidate is found to be not eligible for the year 2015, his/her candidature is liable to be cancelled.
The mark sheets of candidates, who have not qualified, will be put on the Commission’s website within 15 days from the date of publication of the final result and will remain available on the website for a period of 30 days.
The written result of SOs/Stenos  LDCE, 2015 is declared in accordance with the extant rules and regulations, subject to any orders passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in S.L.P.  No. 30671/2011 .
The result of some of the candidates have been kept in Sealed Cover and is subject to the outcome of the finalisation of OA No. 2773/2015, OA No. 2888/2015 and OA No. 2906/2015 by the Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi.
The Union Public Service Commission has a Facilitation Counter and the candidate may obtain information/clarification regarding their result on any working day between 10.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. in person or over Telephone Nos. -23385271/23381125/23098543 from this Counter.
Click Here To See Result:-
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways to run 35 Hydrogen trains under “Hydrogen for Heritage”
Use of Hydrogen as fuel provides larger benefits in the direction of green transportation technology
Indian Railways  has envisaged to run 35  Hydrogen trains under “Hydrogen for Heritage” at an estimated cost of ₹ 80 crores per train and ground infrastructure of ₹ 70 crores per route on various heritage/hill routes.
Besides, IR has also awarded a pilot project for retro fitment of Hydrogen Fuel cell on existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit  rake along with ground infrastructure at the cost of ₹ 111.83 crores which is planned to be run on Jind –Sonipat section of Northern Railway.M
Field trials of the first prototype on Jind –Sonipat section of Northern Railway is expected to commence in 2023-2024.
The running cost of Hydrogen fuel based train is not established in IR scenario. It is estimated that the initial running cost of Hydrogen fuel train-set will be higher which will subsequently reduce with increase in number of trains. Further, the use of Hydrogen as fuel provides larger benefits in the direction of green transportation technology to support zero carbon emission goals as a clean energy source.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.